Forum found 56 per cent of Ontarians think women should be allowed to terminate a pregnancy in all circumstances with 35 per cent agreeing in some circumstances. Only eight per cent are outright opposed to abortion.

Hudak once signed a petition calling for an end to government funding for the procedure but has said he will not reopen the divisive debate, although he considers himself “pro-life.”

“The one thing that can kill the Tories is to be caught out on a social issue and there’s nothing like abortion in terms of a social issue,” said [pollster] Bozinoff.

8 comments:

It never ceases to amaze me how a social issue can affect the electorate. Frankly, I would have thought the defunding aspect of things was a battle they could win, or at least not something that would affect them adversely, provided they weren't talking about imposing *legal* restrictions.

I suspect it isn't that the average person cares so much about access to abortion (til they need one), but rather the shadow of a "hidden whackadoo agenda" that social issues cast on any conservative candidate. We all know there are Liberals who feel the same way as Hudak -- Paul Szabo even proposed defunding -- but since they're a minority in their own party, it doesn't have the same toxic effect on their standing with voters.

But I could be wrong, and I hope I am - it would be nice to think that Ontarians are that staunchly pro-choice.

I don't Hudak's past or supposed current stance on abortion will hurt his campaign. Where he could be hurt is by getting the voters not to believe what he is promising in the election campaign. Essentially, do you believe that if elected Hudak will not touch the abortion issue in any way. Do you believe that Hudak won't make cuts to health care? Do you believe that Hudak won't make cuts to education in spite of what he may promise?

Abortion is only an issue in Toronto, because it's filled with single women who need it often. Toronto will vote as they did in the last federal election, as will the rest of Ontario. Buh-bye Dalton .. the federal Liberals need you badly.

Eesh. I go away for a couple of days and Ms Fern has engaged the loving attentions of the howling forced-birthers big time.

They're very willful about being blind regarding how 'health' is a provincial responsibility and that means a health issue like abortion comes under the provincial government's hand. They must be pretty desperate if they're flocking and screaming like this.